can I eat raw fish?
Raw fish is not automatically off the menu in pregnancy — if it has been commercially frozen first, NHS guidance considers it safe, as freezing kills parasites. US guidance is stricter and recommends avoiding raw fish altogether, so when in doubt, choose cooked.
why it matters
Raw fish can carry parasites such as anisakis and, less commonly, bacteria like listeria. Freezing to -20°C or below kills parasites, which is why pre-frozen sashimi-grade fish is considered low risk in the UK. Your immune system is slightly dampened in pregnancy, so foodborne illness can hit harder.
how to have it safely
Ask whether the fish was previously frozen (most sashimi-grade fish is). If you cannot confirm it, choose cooked fish instead — it keeps all the nutritional benefit with none of the parasite risk.
worth knowing
- UK (NHS): previously frozen raw fish is fine; US (FDA): avoid raw fish and shellfish entirely while pregnant.
- Ceviche is 'cooked' in citrus acid, but this does not reliably kill parasites — treat it as raw.
- Raw shellfish (oysters, clams) is a separate, higher-risk category — avoid it regardless.
- Home-caught fish eaten raw is the riskiest scenario, as it has usually never been frozen.
common questions
Is ceviche safe during pregnancy?
It's best avoided. The citrus marinade changes the texture of the fish but doesn't reliably kill parasites or bacteria the way heat or commercial freezing does.
Why is frozen raw fish considered safe?
Freezing fish to -20°C or colder for at least 24 hours kills parasites such as anisakis. Most commercially sold sashimi and sushi fish has been through this process.
also in fish & seafood
Aligned with guidance from the NHS, FDA and WHO. This is general information, not personal medical advice — check with your midwife or doctor about your own situation. How we write.